A handsome hover fly, which developed from a larva known as a rat-tailed maggot (or ‘mousie’ to ice fisher-people; see inset) pauses on top of a flower. Inset photo courtesy of Kim Haag; hover fly photo courtesy of Heather Broccard-Bell. May 24, 2024 As a little kid, I was really lucky. I had parents who
Eastern Phoebes
![Baby birds Eastern Phoebes sitting in nest Baby birds Eastern Phoebes sitting in nest](https://www.stcnature.org/good-natured/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/iStock-Eastern-Phoebe-e1716334022204-869x520.jpg)
Eastern phoebes show a preference for nesting in sheltered locations. They’ll also refurbish and reuse their nests, often returning to the same site year after…
Periodical Cicadas Pt. 3
![Brood X Cicada Out of Skin Brood X Cicada Out of Skin](https://www.stcnature.org/good-natured/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/iStock-1318798158-870x520.jpg)
In preparation for the performance of its life, a periodical cicada emerges from its nymphal exoskeleton. The dark spots behind the eyes are clusters of…
Periodical Cicadas Pt. 2
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Cicadas are clumsy flyers that travel only short distances. To figure out whether you should expect Brood XIII periodical cicadas in your neighborhood this year,…
Periodical Cicadas
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Periodical cicadas are predicted to emerge throughout northern Illinois in just a few weeks. But will their appearance live up to all the hype? Photo…
Red Admiral Butterflies
![Red Admiral 4.6.2024 Red Admiral 4.6.2024](https://www.stcnature.org/good-natured/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Red-Admiral-4.6.2024-870x520.jpg)
Its wings angled toward the afternoon sun, a red admiral soaks up some warming rays at Delnor Woods Park in St. Charles.
Sapsucker Ecology
![iStock Yellow-bellied Sapsucker iStock Yellow-bellied Sapsucker](https://www.stcnature.org/good-natured/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/iStock-Yellow-bellied-Sapsucker-870x520.jpg)
As a female yellow-bellied sapsucker methodically drills her sapwells, two flies (left) arrive to inspect her progress and, soon, partake of a sweet treat.
Schreckstoff
![Great Blue Heron Catch Great Blue Heron Catch](https://www.stcnature.org/good-natured/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/iStock-Great-Blue-Heron-with-Yellow-Bullhead-870x520.jpg)
Danger, yellow bullheads! Danger! The schreckstoff, or ‘scary stuff’ present in the skin cells of the fish in this heron’s bill likely saved other bullheads…
Ferson Creek Fen Bunnies
![Ferson Fen Bunnies landscape Ferson Fen Bunnies landscape](https://www.stcnature.org/good-natured/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Ferson-Fen-Bunnies-landscape-870x520.jpg)
On a sunny day in April 2014, persons unknown left this box of bunnies at Ferson Creek Fen in St. Charles. Photo courtesy of Tim…
Salamander Monitoring
![Salamander Monitoring 3.9.2024 B Salamander Monitoring 3.9.2024 B](https://www.stcnature.org/good-natured/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Salamander-Monitoring-3.9.2024-B-870x520.jpg)
After being counted, measured and sexed, tiger salamanders in the St. Charles Park District monitoring program are released in their breeding pond. The presence of…